Sleigh attachment for power-driven vehicles.



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A. VBTTBL, Jn. SLEIGH ATTAOEHENT Eon POWER DRIVER VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED KAY 10, 1912.

Patented June 17, 1913 6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

A. VETTBL, JB. SLEIGH ATTACHMENT POR POWER DRIVER VEHICLES.

v APPLICATION FILED MAY l0, 1912. 1,065,01 1

1.06@ 67 5 2 6 wu/MMM M Y .f GJ 4 w W5 AV 7 E 5 9 ive $084 4. 566, pw n0 4 T. 97 I @l M wwf 2 5 Al 6H m66 m wwnn/MAI izhdz A. VETTEL, Jn.SLBIGH ATTACHMENT FOB POWER DRIVBN VEHICLES.

ArrLxouIon rILnn nu 1o. 1912.

1,065,01 1. Patented AJun@ 17,1913.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

A. VBTTEL, JR. SLEIGH ATTACHMENT FOR POWER DRIVEN VEHICLES.

APPLICATION rILED lAY1o,1912

1,065,01 1 Patented June 17, 1913.

WITNIISEB .Qw @Mw A. VETTBL, JR. SLEIGH ATTACHMENT FOR POWER DRIVBNVEHICLES. APPLICATION FILED MAY 1o. 1912.

Patented June 17, 1913.

6 SHEETSSHBET 5.

m El l 1 75 74 r l 61 ws 81 8'2 Tug 65 78 77 7 69 5 56 62 A. VBTTBL, JR.SLBIGH TTAOHMENT FOR POWER DRIVEN VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 10, 1912. 1,065,01 1 Patented June 17, 1913.

6 SHBBTHHEBT 6.

ITNESSES INVENTOR fx/ M @W www,

ANDREW VETTEL, JR., F SANDUSKY. OHIO.

SLEIGH ATTACHMENT FOR POWER-DBIVEN VEHICLES.

Specification of Letters ratent.

`Patented .iu/ne 17.191 3.

Application filed May l0. 1912. Serial No. 696,483.

l T o all fwlifom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, AANDREW VETTEL, Jr., a citizen of the United States,and residing in the city of Sandusky, inthe county of Erieand State ofOhio, have invented or discovered new and useful Improvements in SleighAttachments for Power-Driven Ve-V hicles, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention consists of'new and useful improvements insleigh-attachments for power-driven vehicles, such, forV instance, asautomobiles vvand automobile-trucks.

My object is to provide means whereby r sleigh-runners may beexpeditiously and inexpensively substituted for the wheels of apower-driven vehicle, adapting the latter without further alteration fortravel on snow or ice, o r both. To accomplish this purpose, lsubstitute for the rear or drivingv wheels a pair of power-runners whichare mountable on' thespindles or ends of the driving-axle of the vehiclewithout change in the latter'. and which are provided withtractor-chains actuated by said driving-axle and adapted to engage theground to propel the vehicle either forwardly or backwardly as may bedesired. Means are provided for raising vsaidtractor-chains out ofcontact with the ground and for locking the same iii their raisedposition so that'the vehicle may coast. as for instance in descending ahill. For the front or steering wheels of the vehicle l substitutenon-power-driven or steering runners which are connected with the usual`steering mechanism for control ling the direction of travel.

any novel features of structure andarrangeinent of parts will appearfrom the follou-'iiig description. i

ln the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a side elevation of one of mypower-runners. the inside sideplate and the adjacent .eccentricmechanism being removed for the salte of clem-ness and the tractor-chainbeing shown in its depressed (ii-'operative position; Fig. Q is avertical section of the runner along the line Il-ll in Fig. 1, lookingin the direction of the arrow; Fig. 3

`is a similar view along the line III-Hlm Fig. l. looking in thediiectioi'ioi the arrow:

t is a side elevation showing the rear .p i 1 tracto! sprocket and teemethod oi mounting t. n same: Fig. 5 is a iront eievir tion oi' one ofthe power-runners; Fig. (3 is aire fwrai linjsiioiving the inner' faceci one of the side plates ofsaid runner and the eccentric-controllingdisks Yadjacent thereto; Fig. 7 is a broken elevation showing a portionof the outer face of one of said the tractor-shoes7 a plurality of whichare linked together to forni the tractor-chain ot' the runner; Fig. 11is a diagrammatic plan view showing the controlling,r` mechanism t'orthe power runners Fig. 12 is a side elevation ot the same; Fig. 13 is aside elevation of one of the front or steering-runnersi Fig. 14 is aplanview showing said runners mounted on either end of the `front ornondfrivingaxle and connected with the usual steering-gear. and Fig. 15is an enlarged detail in elevation showing tine method of lat'- erallybracing one of Said steering runners.

he following iS a detailed description of thedrawings. which, ho'wevei.are merely intended to illustrate a practical embodiment of theprinciples of my invention and not to limit the scope of the same tothestructures shown. A

Referring first to Figs. 1-.12, inclusive, which relate to thepower-runners to be substituted for the driving-wheels of the vehicle.the runner illustrated in Figs. 1-9, inclusive, is that substituted forthe right hand driving-wheel, the left hand runner being identical instructure except for the necessary reversa-l of a portion of the parts.ln said figures 1 represents one end or spindle of the driving-axle fromwhich the wheel is removed. 2 2 are the vertical side plates of therunner connected together by webs` or cross-braces 3-3 to stiften thestructurel The lower, longitudinal edges of plates 2 2 are provided withshoes 4-4 which Contact with and slide along the snow or ice. Said shoesare preferably provided with longitudinah angular projections or ribs 5Y5 to prevent slridding-or side-slipping. The side plates Q--Q areprovided adjacent to the rear ends with a pair of alined .annular plates9-9 the eounten' sunt; edges lll-10 of the eccentrics :M7 and secured tothe side plates 2-2 byscrews further rotation of the 11-11.Anti-friction members or balls 12---12 are interposed between the edgesof eccentrics 7--7 and the edges of openings 6-6. 13---13 arecontrolling-disks fixed to the inner faces of eccentrics 7-7.

The eccentrics'7--7 are provided with eclcentrically placed aperturesv1li-14 which areV fitted with ball-bearings 15-15 through which isinserted t-he axle 1 in a manner identical to that in which the spindleor end of said axle is inserted in the wheel. The usual cap or nut 16 issecured to the end of the axle 1 to prevent the escape of the axle fromthe runner. The cap or nut used to secure the wheel in place is alsolused for the similar purpose of securing the power-runner in lplace onthe axle.

It is evident that the rotation of the disks 13-13 in the proper`direction, carrying with them the eccentrics 7 7, will act to raise orlower the axle 1 in relation to the side plates 2--2. Suitable bea-rings17.--17 are interposed between the axle'1 and the central bores ofthedisks 13-13.

To limit the arc of rotation of the eccen- "trics 7-'7 I provide thesame with radial fingers 18 which move in arc-shaped recesses in theplates 9--9, the contact of the tooth with either end of said recesspreventing y eccentric in that direction.

Rigidly mounted on axle 1 within the side plates 2-2 is thedriving-chain sprocket 19.

lMounted on said axle adjacent',` to said sprocket V19 is a block 20,ball-bearings 21 being interposed between the .axle and said vblock toprevent interference with the rotary movement of said axle.

22 is a non-rotating wheel provided with a vertical recess or opening 23in the upper portion of which is seated the block 20, a coiled spring24being interposed between said block and the bottom of said recess tonormally keep said b'lock in its elevated position but permitting itytov be depressed in said recessy against the action of said springs incase of asudden jar or jolt. Thus means are provided for the assumptionof such jolts or jars as might otherwise be transferred between the axleand the runner to the injury of either.

25 is an annular tractor-chain sprocket mounted to rotate on theperimeter of wheel 22, ,ball-bearings 26 being interposed between thesame to avoid friction. The sprocket 25 is provided with two annularseries of teeth, 27-27, on theI edges thereof, and an elevated, roundededge 28 between said two series of teeth.

29 is a transverse shaft or spindle mount-` ed in advance of axle 1 andin a similar manner.

The side plates-2-2 are provided with a pair of alined circular openings30-30 inV each of which is mounted an eccentric or, ball-bearings 32-32being inter osed betwee-n said eccentrics and the si e plates. Theeccentrics are held in place by means of outside annular plates 33--33and inside an- 70 nular plates. y

35-.-35 are controlling disks, similar to disks 13-13, secured to theinner faces of plates 34-34 secured to said side eccentrics 31-31 andmounted on shaft 29 by means of ball-bearings 36-36. It is evident thatthe rotation of disks 35-35 will elevate or depress the shaft 29. Thearc of rotation of eccentrics 31-31 is limited in a manner similar tothat shown in Fig. 8 in 80 connection with eccentrics 7--7.

37 is a secondl tractor-chain sprocket mounted to rotate freely on shaft29 by means of ball-bearings 38-38, and provided with two annular edgeseries ofv sprocket 8.5

teeth 39-39 and an intermediate elevated, rounded edge 40.

41 is a driving-chain sprocket secured to Vthe face of sprocket 37 androtating there- The sprocket 41 is preferably of somewhat 9.-',

larger diameter than sprocket 19 to reduce the rate of rotation.

43-43 represent a series of tractor-shoes which are linked together" attheir adjacent ends by means of pairs of links tIAL-44 to 10o form anlendless tractor-chain which is mounted on the tractor-chain sprockets25 and 37, the teeth 27.-27 and 39e-39 meshing between the pairs oflinks lts-44, as r shown. It is thus evident that rotation in eitherdirection may be applied to thetractor-chain fromthe'axle 1. The endwalls of the shoes 43--43 are cut away to form the roundedapertures45-45 which are engaged by the rounded edges 28 and 40 of the110 Sprockets 25 and 37, respectively. The shoes iii-43 are preferablyprovided with laterally eonvexed outer faces having a central`longitudinal interrupted fin or. series of teeth 46--46 and conicalprojections 47--47 115 to enable the shoes to bite into the snow or ice.

48-48 and 49-19 represent pairs of standards mounted by means -ofball-bearings 50-50 on axle 1 and shaft 29, respec- 120 tively, betweenthe disks 13-13 and 35i-35. Said standards are connected longitudinallyby top-braces 51 and 'side-braces 51a at either side, and transverselyby cross-braces 52, thus forming a rigid frame mounted on said axle andsaid shaft but not interfering with the rotation of the axle.

53- is an idler-wheel journaled between the parallel braces .51 by meansof its shaft engaging holes 54 in said braces. Said wheel 130 ,of theWheel 53.

A guidelate is secured at its ends to the' left hand face' of Wheel 22as shown in Fig. 3, embracing the adjacent standard 48, as shown in Fi L4, and slides lvertically on Seid Standard., Permitting vertical andpreventing rotary movement of said wheel 22.

In the upper ends of standard 48H48 is journaled a transverse rock-shaft56 and a similar rock-shaft 57 is journaled in the upper ends ofstandards ML-49.

i58-58 are a pair of upwardly extending arms rigidly mounted on shaft5.6' and 59-59 are. a similar pair of arms on shaft 57. Each arm 58 isconnected t0 the oppGS.- ing arm 59 by pivotally attached links 60.YOutside of the inside side plate 2 a double ended rocking-arm 6l isrigidly mounted at its center on rock-shaft 56, the purpose of which armWill be explained later,

(i2-62J represent pairs of double ended rocking-arms rigidly mounted lattheir reuters on the shafts 56 and 57. The arms 62-62 on the shaft 56are connected by pivotally attached links 63-63 to the inner faeeS efdisks 13H13 at either side of the centers of the latter, and' similarlinks (3363 connectthe arms t2-62 of the shaft 57 with the disks35---35- It is evident that by rocking the shaft 56 in the properdiret:- tion, the disks 1.313 and Swl may he turned, Within the limitsof their are of rotation, to either raise or lower the axle l and..shaft 29 in relationto side lates 2 2., and' thus either raise or lowert e tractor-chain out ot orinto its o erative .oition To enable me toook the raCtor-ehain in its raised or inoperative. position. l providethel outer farethat is tlie face adjacent to the, side plate 2 of theinner disk 13 With an' angular tooth 64 which. when said disk is turnedto tlie position which it assumes when the tractor-chain is raised outot itsl operative position, is engaged hy a spring.;- pawl 65 mounted onthe inner fare ot sido plate 2 and controlled hy a rod 66 iivoted at itsupper end by means of a .slot to an arm 67' rigidly mounted on a.transverse rook-shaft 68 iturnaled 0n longitudinal braces 31-51. 69is/an arm rigidly mounted on the inner end of said shaft 68 andextending 'downwardly outside of the runner. Said arm is provided with atransverse oui-ved slot 70, and the purpose of the sanie will he laterexplained.

To steady and assist the raising and louA eringl action ot theeet'entries, l rigidly mount ori-the r0ckshafts 56 and .3T cams.top-piatta and vertirai 71-71 which bear upon the top edges of the sideplates 2--Q and are provided with edge ilanges '(2-72 which hear againstthe inside fares tlf said sido plates to prevent the Cams slipping fromengagement With the top edges thereof.

Referring pa rtioularly to Figs. il and 12, T3 is a rook-shaft.iournaled transversely in advanee ot the power-runuers in the frame ofthe vehicltu not shown. and provided at v its ends with rigidly mounteddouble ended arms 74-74 which are oounerted hy pi\- otally eonnet'tedrods Tie with the ends of the double ended arms 6l ot the tnopower-runners. T6 is an upwardly extend ing rigid arm mounted on shaftTil and ooo neetetl hy link 7T with a handdever TS. plated eonronielltlyto the hand ot' the chauffeur. The lever 78 is preferably providedivitli a looking-quadrant 79. It thus evident. that the` elianifeur, hymeans otl hand-lerer 78, may throw the `trartor-t'haiu into or out ofits .operative position at. will. 8l) is a second transversely mountedshaft. also journaled in the vehicle frame and provided at its ends Withdownwardly exif-.ntlY ing rigidly mounted arms Sldl whirl; are oonneotedhy pivotally attached rods 8; to the slotted ends of arms (it) of thelof-lting-rneohanisms of tho two powerrunners. Shaft 80 is alsoproijidttl with a third rigL idly mounted arm Si); which is; oonnertwlhv link Si with the toot-trradle S5 wlioreitv the chauffeur may at willuulork the trat'iorVA Chains preliminary to depressing the same into'their operative positions.

86 reiliresents the lnalte-liand drum which is mounted as usual op theaxle L the usual servire and einer-gener ltr-altes on the. driving-axleheingrretainml ivhru the wher-ls are removed.

It is thus evident that. the substitution ot' my power-runners for thedrivingrheels of a vehicle involves no alteration in the essential partsof the vehicle other than the removal yot' the ivltttls and themountingT oi' the power-runners on the axle. the only t'haugle requiredheine; the ltorittg, of a 'teu holes in the frame tor mounting the rock`*ing-shafts 72% and S0 and their aetuating j meehanisms.

.leterring now to Figs. lf3, 14 and 1T, the trout or non-power runnersare suli.-gtitutod for the trout or non-driving i'vheels without changeot parts other. than said substitution. The steering runners may be ofany suitable type and Construction. hut l prefer the structureillustrated wherein the same artx composed of'a shoe 87, preferablyprovided with a longitudinal bottom ril) to grip the ground and preventsltidding or sideV slipping` a top-plate fit), the shoe living; liroughtupwardly at the front lo nur. said liriwes Siti-Htl. The top-plate isprovided with a rigidliY attached titi .lilo

lio

"thus firmly braced against lateral strain.

" quired hub 91 into which the splndle 92 of the axle is inserted andsecured by the nut 93 or whatever type of locking-device with which thevehicle is provided. 94 is the usual vetical spindle-collar, rigid withthe spindle 92 and pivoted in the yoke 95 on the end of the axle 96 bythe pin 97. 98--9S are the steering-arms rigid with the collar 94 andconnected with the steering-rod 99. 100 is the arm by which thesteering-shaft is attached. 101 and 102 are bracing-rods, secured attheir bottom ends by means of nuts to the shoe 87, and providerespectively at their upper ends with s lit-collars, 103 and 104, whichencircle an are bolted tightly around the spindle-collar 94. The runner1s It is evident that the steering-mechanism of the vehicle controlsthe-nonpower runners to direct the course of the vehicle, and that noalterations are required for the substitution of the runners for theWheels.

It is thus evident that my invention provides efficient and inexpensivemeans for expeditiously changing a power-driven wheeled vehicle into apower-driven sleigh, no alteration of the power plant, transmission orbody of the vehicle being required. The mechanism for controlling thepower runners from the chauffenrs seat being quickly attached to theframel without mar! ring the same, a few holes being only re- VVhcn' therunners are rep aced again by the wheels, the controlling mechanism isremoved and the vehicle again presents its original appearance.

that I desire to claim is l.` In combination with the driving axle of apower-driven vehicle, a runner adapted to be mounted on said axle as asubstitute for the driving-wheel, and an eccentric interposed betweensaid axle and said runner.

2. In combination with the driving-axle of apower-driven vet-icle, nrunner adapted to be mounted on said axle asa substitute for thedriving-\vheel, an eccentric interposed between said axle and saidrunner, and means for limiting the rotary movement of said eccentric.

3. In combination with the driving-axle of a power-driven vehicle, arunner adapted to be mounted ou said axle as a substitute for thedriving-wheel, an eccentricinterlposed between said axle and saidrunner, and means for locking said eccentric against rotation.

4. In combination with the driving-axle of a power-driven vehicle, arunner adapted to be mounted on said axle as a substitute for thedriving-wheel, an eccentric interposed between said axle and saidrunner. I means for limitingthe rotary movement of l said eccentric, andmeans Yfor locking said eccentric against rotation. l

5. In combination with thel driving-axle of a power-driven vehicle, arunner adapted to be mounted' on said axle as a substitute for thedriving-wheel, a tractor mounted on said axle and receiving owertherefrom, and means for shifting' said runner in relation to said axle.

6. In combination with the driving-axle of a power-driven vehicle, arunner adapted to be mounted on said axle as a substitute for thedriving-wheel, a tractor mounted on said axle and receiving powertherefrom, means for shifting said runner in relation to said axle, andmeans for locking said runner against shifting.

7. In combination with the driving-axle of a ower-driven vehicle, arunner adapted to e mounted on said axle as a substitute for thedrivingwheel, means for shifting said axlevertically in relation to saidrunner, a shaft journaled in said runner parallcl with said axle,sprockets mounted on said axle and said shaft. and atractor-chainmounted on said sprockets receiving power from said axle.

8. In combination with the driving-axle of a power-driven vehicle, arunner adapted to be mounted on said axle as a substitute for thedriving-wheel, a shaft journaled in said runner parallel with said axle,sprockets mounted on said axle and said shaft, means for shifting saidaxle and said shaft vertically in relation to'said runner` and atractor-chain mounted on said sprockets receiving power from said axle.

9. In combination with the driving-axle of a power-driven vehicle, arunner adapted to be mounted on said axlevas a substitute for thedrivingwheel, a shaft journalcd in said runner parallel with Said axle,sprockets 4mounted on said axle andsaid shaft. means for shifting saidaxle and said shaft vertically in relation to said runner, commoncontrollingl means for said axle and said. shaft, and a tractor-chainmounted on said sprockets receiving power from said axle.

10. In combination'with the driving-axle of a power-driven vehicle, arunner adapted to be mounted on said axle as a substitute for thedriving-wheel, a shaft journaled in said runner parallel with said axle,sprockets mounted on said axle and said shaft, means for s ifting saidaxle and said shaft verticaliy in relation to said runner, means 'forlocking saidA axleand said shaft against vertical movement, and atractor-chain mounted on said sprockets receiving power from said axle.

11'. In combination with the driving-axle of a power-driven vehicle, arunner adapted to be mounted on said axle as a substitute for thedriving wheel, a shaft journaled I in said runner parallel with saidaxle, a sprocket mounted on said shaft and rotating therewith, a secondsprocket loosely mounted on Said axle, a cushion-device interposedbetween said second sprocket and said axle, a tractor-chain mounted onsaid two sprockets, and means whereby said shaft is rotated by powerfrom said axle.

12. In combination with the driving-axle of a power-driven vehicle, arunner adapted to be mounted on .said axle as a substitute for thedriving wheel, a shaft journaled in said runner parallel with said axle,a sprocket mounted on said shaft and rotating therei With, a secondsprocket loosely mounted on said axle, a cushion-device interposed beitween said second sprocket and said axle, a

l tractor-chain mounted on said two sproek'- 15 1 ets, means wherebysaid shaft is rotated by power from said axle, and means for shiftingsaid runner in relation to Suid tractorchain.

May, 1912.

ANDREW VE'VIIGL, Jn.

l l l Witnesses:

JOHN J. HEALY, CHARLES E. LARGE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C.

Signed at Sandusky, O., this fftth day of 2o

